Mickey Moniak's 3-run homer leads Rockies past D-backs 4-2 on June 22, 2025. Brandon Pfaadt struggles again as Arizona's momentum stalls. Recap here.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
One swing. That's all it took to turn a promising afternoon at Coors Field into a frustrating 4-2 loss for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A three-run homer by Colorado's Mickey Moniak in the fifth inning proved to be the dagger, spoiling a chance for the D-backs to move three games over .500 and casting a shadow over what could have been a successful road trip.
22 earned runs in his last 18 innings.
The game was right there for the taking. Randal Grichuk had staked the D-backs to a 2-1 lead with a pair of RBI singles, and things were looking up. But the notoriously tricky fifth inning at Coors Field struck again. With two on, Brandon Pfaadt served up a pitch that Mickey Moniak sent flying for a three-run shot, instantly flipping the script to a 4-2 Rockies lead. From there, the Colorado bullpen locked it down, and the D-backs' offense couldn't muster a response, ending the day with a whimper.
While the loss stings, the bigger concern for Arizona is the continuing slump of Brandon Pfaadt. Once a reliable arm in the rotation, Pfaadt was tagged for four runs in five innings, pushing his season record to 8-5. The alarming trend is his performance over his last few starts, where he's now surrendered a staggering 22 earned runs in just 18 innings pitched. For a team with playoff aspirations, getting Pfaadt back to his early-season form is no longer a wish; it's a necessity.
It wasn't all doom and gloom. Eugenio Suárez continued his torrid pace, lacing a double to extend his extra-base hit streak to four games. 'Geno' has been on an absolute tear, providing a massive boost to the heart of the order. Meanwhile, Randal Grichuk was the entire offense on Sunday, going 2-for-3 and driving in both of Arizona's runs. These individual efforts are bright spots, proving the offense has the firepower to win games when the pitching holds up its end of the bargain.
The team will have little time to dwell on the loss as they head home to open a three-game set against the Chicago White Sox on Monday. The D-backs will send lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4, 5.93 ERA) to the mound in the series opener. He'll face off against White Sox right-hander Shane Smith (3-4, 2.85 ERA). It's a critical opportunity to bounce back immediately and build some momentum at Chase Field.
It was a frustrating end to the series in Colorado, a classic 'one step forward, one step back' kind of day. The D-backs now sit at 39-38, a precarious position that makes every series feel crucial. All eyes will now be on Eduardo Rodriguez as he takes the mound against the White Sox on Monday. A strong start from him could wash away the sour taste of Sunday's loss and get the homestand started on the right foot. The bats, led by the resurgent Suárez, are doing their part; now, the pitching needs to follow suit.
